CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 3 CONTENTS

PAGE

Physical Environment ...... III-1 Biological Environment ...... III-2 Social and Economic Environment ...... III-7 Resource Management Programs ...... III-9

Six Rivers National Forest PLAN III–i CHAPTER 3

SUMMARY OF THE ANALYSIS OF THE MANAGEMENT SITUATION

INTRODUCTION construction and some landscaping and decorative materials. This chapter summarizes the existing situation for each resource area of the Six Rivers National Forest SOILS (Forest). It also identifies projected demands and opportunities, where possible. Chapter 3, Affected Soils on the Forest are variable due to differences in Environment, of the accompanying Environmental parent material, topography, climate, biology, and age. Impact Statement describes each resource in detail. Older soils include some of the most productive lands on the Forest. About 84 percent of the Forest’s soils PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT are rated as capable of growing trees for industrial wood.

GEOLOGY The deep red lateritic soils in the North Fork of Smith River watershed are very old and are unique to the The Forest lies within two physiographic provinces: continental United States. the Klamath Mountains and the Coast Range. The Forest contains landslide and earthquake hazards but Erosion Hazard: About 20 percent of the Forest’s no volcanic hazards. Geologic resources on the Forest soils have a very high erosion hazard rating if the include minerals (see Resource Management vegetation and duff are removed, particularly soils Programs: Minerals), construction materials, and areas derived from dioritic rock and South Fork Mountain of unique geological value (see Resource Management schist. High rates of surface erosion (rilling and Programs: Special Interest Areas). gullying) do not usually occur on this Forest because the surface soil structure is resistant to breakdown by Landslide Hazards: Landsliding is a natural process raindrop impact; water infiltration rates are high; duff, which is also influenced by routine forest management litter, slash, and surface rock fragments provide activities such as road construction and timber harvest. residual soil cover; and vegetation regrows rapidly Landslides constitute the most significant of the after disturbance. geologic hazards on the Forest. About 19 percent of the Forest is susceptible to high or extreme landslide Projected Demands and Opportunities hazards. Soil quality standards will be applied on a site specific Earthquake Hazards: Major active faults west of the basis to protect this non-renewable resource. Forest and one possible active fault in the southwestern section of the Forest generate WATER earthquakes that have minimal effects on the Forest.

Groundwater: The potential for development of large The Forest generates high amounts of water, mostly in groundwater supplies on the Forest is low, although the form of rainfall. The water is used for municipal moderate groundwater supplies could probably be and domestic supply, fisheries, agriculture, industry, developed in some of the relatively thick, more recreation, hydropower, and maintaining riparian uniform sand and gravel deposits along parts of the ecosystems. There are 24 municipal-class watersheds Trinity and Mad rivers. on the Forest; there are no formal municipal watershed

Earth Construction Materials: The Forest contains adequate materials to meet its needs for road

Six Rivers National Forest PLAN III – 1 Affected Environment

agreements. There are no major floodplains on the Monitoring air quality will provide insights into the air Forest and no flood control structures. quality situation and provide a basis for measuring trends. Maintaining air quality may require Past disturbances from management activities, on application of new techniques and prescriptions for public and private lands, have contributed to soil fuels treatment. erosion and stream sedimentation. The 1964 flood had a major influence on Forest streams. These effects BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT tend to be cumulative. Watershed analysis, as required by the FSEIS-ROD, will provide most of the data on BIODIVERSITY which to base cumulative effects analyses.

Restoration work has been accomplished throughout Biological diversity is the variety of living things in an the Forest at a rate of about 150 acres per year. area and the ecological processes in which they function as a system. Most landscapes within the Projected Demands and Opportunities Forest contain complex vegetation patterns and an unusually rich and varied flora. To date, 163 plant associations and 52 sub-series have been identified Some additional restoration needs have been within 13 vegetation series. Some of the factors identified. There will be opportunities to identify contributing to this diversity are climate, underlying needs and accomplish more restoration work and to geology, and natural and human-caused disturbances. monitor the cumulative effects of restoration on water quality. Northwest California has the most predictable and wettest climate in California. The Forest climate AIR varies from cooler and wetter in the north to hotter and drier in the south. The Forest was divided into three Almost all of the Forest is within the State’s North zones for landscape analysis. The north zone includes Coast Air Basin. Air quality on the Forest is very the Smith River NRA and the portion of the Orleans good, with all Federal standards consistently achieved District northwest of the Klamath river. The central (including those for ozone, carbon monoxide, zone includes the southeast side of the Orleans District particulate matter, and nitrogen dioxide). The Forest and the Lower Trinity District. These two zones are Service is responsible for protecting values and within the Klamath Mountains Section. The south resources affected by air quality in Class I areas, zone, which comprises the Mad River District, is designated under the Clean Air Act. The Yolla Bolly- entirely within the North Coast Mountains Section. Middle Eel Wilderness is the only Class I area on the The closed canopy conifer stands in the Klamath Forest, although the Marble Mountain Wilderness Mountains Section give way to a mosaic of conifer could be affected by Forest activities. The rest of the forests and their seral stages, intermixed with oak Forest, including the other wildernesses, are Class II woodlands and grasslands, in the North Coast areas. Mountains Section.

The Forest uses prescribed burning for fuels Parent rock differs between Sections. The Klamath management on about 2,000 acres per year. Effects of Mountains Section is generally composed of fine smoke from prescribed burning can be annoying, but textured metamorphics, while the North Coast tend to be of short duration and low intensity. Mountains Section is generally composed of coarse textured sandstones, which add to the drier conditions Projected Demands and Opportunities in the south zone and contribute to the higher frequency of stand replacing wildfires.

Disturbance has had the greatest impact on vegetation patterns within the Forest. Natural disturbances such as fire, floods, landslides, windthrow, and insect epidemics tend to shape vegetation patterns on a short- term scale. Fire has resulted in the pattern of seral stages spread across the Forest. Burning by Native Americans prior to European settlement influenced the

III – 2 Six Rivers National Forest CHAPTER 3 composition and patterns of vegetation. Large scale Mid mature: 26 percent; shrub and herb layers of stand-replacing wildfires which occurred between low cover; snags over 20" dbh occur; vertical and 1870 and 1920 are responsible for the dominance of horizontal diversity low. vegetation in the early and mid mature seral stages, much of which is found in the ridgetop and upper one- Late mature: 7 percent; shrub and herb layers third slope positions. Ridgetop and upper one-third begin to increase in cover; more snags, large snags a slopes burn with much higher frequency than lower standard component; vertical and horizontal structure one-third slopes. As recently as 1987, a fire in the diversity begin to appear; species diversity is upper one-third slope in the south zone converted over increasing. 5,000 acres of mid mature coniferous forest to the shrub/forb seral stage. Old-growth: 16 percent; shrub and herb layers apparent, vertical and horizontal diversity high; Other disturbances, including Forest management density of snags and logs high; species diversity activities such as prescribed fire, fire suppression, second to shrub/forb seral stage; many species logging, and road construction, have affected restricted to this stage. vegetation at the stand and landscape levels. Timber management was a selective agent of succession; late Forest vegetation is found in three major categories: seral and old growth stands were selected for the forest series, oak woodlands, and grasslands. All regeneration harvests, further emphasizing the seral stages found on the Forest are best represented in landscape dominance of younger seral stages. Cattle the conifer forest category. The old-growth seral grazing also plays its part in disturbance. Cattle act as stage is represented best in the moist north zone (25 selective agents of succession, eating palatable species percent of the conifer vegetation), less in the central and leave behind non-palatable ones, which may zone (17 percent), and least in the south zone (8 eventually dominate a site. percent). The mature seral stages show a reversal of this trend, increasing in frequency from north to south. Seral stages: the relative abundance of various seral The oak woodland category is found primarily in the stages, the developmental stages of a plant community early mature and mid mature seral stages except in the in an ecological progression, is a measure of the south zone, where it is found in most seral stages. All diversity of the forest. Seral stages vary in horizontal of the vegetation in the grassland category (2 percent and vertical structure, providing a diversity of habitats Forest-wide) is contained in the shrub/forb natural for plant and animal species. The percent of the Forest seral stage. and the structural and species diversity found in each seral stage on the Forest are summarized below. Historic Range of Variability: An historic range of variability (HRV) for forest vegetation was calculated Shrub/forb harvested: 5 percent; structural for the period from 1790 to 1990. Analysis of the diversity very low; species diversity can be the highest HRV showed several trends in the Forest. of all seral stages, but is made up of species that are found in all seral stages. 1. Narrower ranges of variability occur in the old-growth seral stage within the north zone Shrub/forb natural: 5 percent; diversity similar as elevation increases, pointing to the higher to shrub/forb harvested. frequency of stand replacing wildfires on high elevation sites than on low elevation sites. Pole harvested: 6 percent; shrub and herb layers lacking; can have lowest species diversity. 2. A high frequency of tanoak vegetation occurs in the shrub/forb and pole seral stages, Pole natural: 6 percent; shrub and herb layers primarily related to past intensive forest lacking. management.

Early mature: 30 percent; shrub and herb layers 3. The existing condition within the old-growth lacking; snag density low, less than 18" dbh; vertical seral stage of the tanoak series is lower than and horizontal diversity is lacking, species diversity the historic range of variability. second lowest of all seral stages.

Six Rivers National Forest PLAN III – 3 Affected Environment

4. The tanoak series appears to be the only series research projects and by considering genetic diversity whose existing condition falls outside the in site specific projects. historic range of variability. RIPARIAN ZONES 5. The historic range of variability begins to drop as we move south into drier areas. Riparian ecosystems are the interface between the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Riparian 6. The greatest degree of change occurs in the communities occur around streams, lakes, ponds, wet south zone. meadows, springs, and wetlands throughout the Forest. Approximately 159,000 acres of riparian areas occur 7. The amount of vegetation associated with the throughout the Forest, including 65 wet meadows and mature seral stages shifts in relation to the 90 ponds and lakes. amount of old-growth. Riparian areas provide habitat for a greater number of Projected Demands and Opportunities wildlife species than do other habitat types. At least 250 wildlife species use riparian areas for breeding, The Forest is currently conducting three activities to feeding, and resting and as travel lanes and connectors assist in managing for biological diversity. The between habitat types. Riparian vegetation is ecological classification program describes plant important to fish habitat. Riparian areas are attractive associations along with their physiographic features to livestock and are also the focus of water-related (elevation, aspect, slope, soils, parent rock, for recreation uses. example) in units called ecological types. The vegetation mapping project will complete a vegetation Riparian systems on the Forest have been altered map layer for the Forest which includes vegetation extensively over the past 150 years by natural events series and sub-series, seral stage, overstory size class, and man’s activities. Standards and guidelines and canopy closure. The ecological unit inventory developed since the late 1960s have provided for maps ecological types, existing vegetation, soils, and greater protection of streamside areas that in earlier geology and integrates this data into ecological units. eras. The areas selected for ecological unit inventory are those that require this site specific information to Management direction for wetlands and riparian areas address management concerns or needs, such as is to insure high quality aquatic habitat and watershed assessments. These ecological types, when functioning riparian ecosystems now and in the future. described and mapped, will provide the future vegetation management units for the Forest and will Projected Demands and Opportunities allows for tracking the elements of vegetative diversity (species, community, ecosystem, landscape) Standards and guidelines in this Plan require throughout the Forest. management that will balance the range of resource uses with the goal of ecological sustainability in order GENETICS to maintain the long term productivity of riparian areas. The Forest’s diverse climate and topography contribute to the diversity in its animal and plant life, SENSITIVE PLANT SPECIES contributing to considerable genetic variability. The Forest contributes to genetic diversity best in places Federally listed endangered plants are protected under largely undisturbed by man’s activities. Genetic the provisions of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) diversity can also be conserved through propagation of of 1973, as amended. The Del Norte population of seedlings at the Humboldt Nursery. McDonald's rock-cress is under consideration for Federal listing. Pnding a taxonomic treatment of Projected Demands and Opportunities McDonald's rock-cress, which is now underway, the USFWS will determine whether the Del Norte The Forest has opportunities to conserve genetic population warrants Federal listing. diversity by cooperating with the Research arm’s Center of Conservation of Genetic Diversity in

III – 4 Six Rivers National Forest CHAPTER 3 There are 30 plants on the Forest sensitive plant list; Planning Documents within the Range of the Northern 19 are known to occur on the Forest and suitable Spotted Owl (ROD). The Forest has 232 known pairs habitat exists on the Forest for the other nine species. of spotted owls, 46 territorial singles, and a floating About 80 percent of the sensitive species are found on population of over 56 single owls. Murrelets were dry, rocky serpentine sites with soils which are observed at seven locations on the Gasquet Ranger nutrient poor and even toxic to most species. The rest District in 1988 and 1989; three sightings were are associated with non-serpentine outcrops and confirmed in 1992 surveys of selected sale areas using ultramafic parent material, oak woodland/grasslands, the regionally approved protocol. and wet meadows/bogs. Many of the species are located within Botanical Areas (see Resource Candidates for Federal Listing: Candidate species Management Programs: Special Interest Areas). are species under consideration for possible listing as endangered or threatened. They have no protection Projected Demands and Opportunities under the ESA. Candidate species known or suspected to occur on the Forest are the California red-legged The Forest will develop species management guides frog, Del Norte salamander, foothill yellow-legged and monitoring plans for sensitive species, species frog, northwestern pond turtle, northern goshawk, groups, and habitats in cooperation with other agencies California wolverine, Pacific fisher, Pacific western where possible. Data gathered on the Forest will be big-eared bat, white-footed vole, Karok Indian snail, available for transfer to the California Natural Siskiyou and Trinity Alps ground beetles, and the Diversity Database, and cooperative efforts may be Klamath bumble bee. conducted with varied interest groups and organizations. Forest Service Sensitive Species: These animal species were identified by the Regional Forester due to WILDLIFE concerns for the viability of their populations, as evidenced by significant current or predicted The Forest is home to 298 known species of terrestrial downward trends in population numbers, density, and/ wildlife, including 76 mammals, 185 birds, and 37 or habitat quantity and quality. The Region 5 sensitive reptiles and amphibians. Forty-eight of these are game species known or suspected to occur on the Forest are animals or furbearers. Chapter 3 of the EIS provides American marten, Pacific fisher, northern goshawk, detailed information on the following species. great gray owl, willow flycatcher, northwestern pond turtle, summer steelhead trout, and spring chinook Threatened and Endangered Species: Four salmon. Federally-listed threatened andendangered species are found on the Forest: bald eagle, peregrine falcon, State Listed Species and Species of Special northern spotted owl, and marbled murrelet. Concern: The Forest also recognizes species listed as threatened or sndangered within the state and state Bald eagle and peregrine falcon are classified as “species of special concern,” a designation assigned by Endangered and are managed in accordance with their CDF&G to species with populations considered to be recovery plans. There are four known bald eagle declining or in jeopardy of extinction. Species of territories, several suspected nest territories, and a special concern known or having the potential to occur small wintering population on the Forest. The Forest on the Forest include the osprey, sharp-shinned hawk, has 22 sites with potentially suitable peregrine falcon long-eared owl, merlin, purple martin, yellow warbler, habitat and is thought to have nine pairs of nesting yellow-breasted chat, prairie falcon, golden eagle, peregrine falcons. great blue heron, American badger, and red tree vole (Williams, 1986). The northern spotted owl and marbled murrelet are classified as Threatened. Neither the owl nor the Harvest species and hunting: Harvest species are murrelet has an approved recovery plan; until they do, those animals traditionally hunted or trapped. management for these species will be guided by the Commonly hunted species that inhabit the Forest Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement include black bear, black-tailed deer, gray squirrel, on Management of Habitat for Late-Successional and mountain quail, California quail, blue grouse, ruffed Old-Growth Forest Related Species within the Range grouse, turkey, band-tailed pigeon, wood duck, and of the Northern Spotted Owl (FSEIS) and the mallard. Furbearing mammals which are trapped associated Record of Decision for Amendments to include mink, gray fox, raccoon, bobcat, and coyote. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management Six Rivers National Forest PLAN III – 5 Affected Environment

Management Indicator Species: Six individual MIS these densely vegetated wet areas to meet life species and seven multi-species assemblages were requirements represent this habitat type. selected to gauge the effects for each alternative proposed in this EIS and to monitor the effects of plan Marsh/lake/pond assemblage: Three species implementation. Each species within the multi-species which are sensitive to water chemistry, large woody assemblages is likely to respond somewhat differently debris, adjacent forested habitats, and disturbance to various management activities that may occur. were chosen to represent this habitat type. Monitoring several similar species will provide a better reflection of the range of responses expected River, stream, and creek wildlife assemblage: from all wildlife species associated with a given Eight species which are sensitive to water quality habitat or habitat element. (chemistry and temperature), snags and large woody debris, adjacent forested habitats, and disturbance Northern spotted owl: Spotted owls are expected were chosen to represent this habitat type. to be sensitive to changes in habitat quality because they are fairly habitat specific, and they represent the Snag assemblage: Ten species which are habitat needs of other wildlife species that use mature dependent on snags for all or part of their life cycle and late-successional forest habitat for all or part of were chosen to represent this habitat type. their life cycle. Downed woody material assemblage: Five Pileated woodpecker: The pileated woodpecker species which are dependent on downed woody is expected to be a good indicator species because it is material for some aspect of their life were chosen to habitat specific, it requires large snags and logs as do represent this habitat type. many other species of wildlife, and it is still fairly common and well distributed. Black oak/white oak assemblage: Four species with a variety of needs and uses for oaks were chosen Black bear: Black bear was selected as an to represent this habitat type. indicator species because of its habitat association with mid- and late-successional stages of all forest Tanoak and Pacific madrone assemblage: vegetation types and unique meadow types and its Three species were chosen to represent this habitat large down log requirements. type.

American marten: Marten is a good indicator of Projected Demands and Opportunities habitat quality because it appears to be uniquely associated with true fir vegetation types, it is habitat Public lands offer opportunities for the public to hunt, specific, and it requires large logs or deadfalls for view, and photograph wildlife otherwise unavailable to resting and denning. many. Conservation strategies will be developed and implemented to assist Threatened and Endangered Pacific fisher: Fisher is a good indicator of species through recovery and to prevent listing of habitat quality because it is habitat specific, and it other sensitive species under the Endangered Species represents the habitat needs of other wildlife species Act. which utilize mid-elevation mature and late- successional Mixed Evergreen forests on the Forest as FISHERIES well as wildlife species which use large cavities and concentrations of downed woody debris for denning or Current Situation nesting.

Black-tailed deer: Black-tailed deer was selected The Forest supports both anadromous and resident fish as an indicator species because of its association with populations including salmon, steelhead, trout, early- and mid-successional stages of all forest sturgeon, bluegill, crappie, and bass. vegetation types and unique meadow and hardwood types. Anadromous Fish Resource: The primary fishery resource on the Forest is anadromous fish production, Bog/seep/spring/wet meadow/talus wildlife particularly in the Klamath, Trinity, and Smith river assemblage: Two species which are dependent on watersheds. Steelhead, which are harvested only by

III – 6 Six Rivers National Forest CHAPTER 3 sports anglers in freshwater, make a substantial Species Act. The green sturgeon, which occurs in the contribution to the economies of communities near the Klamath River, is currently listed by the U. S. Fish and rivers. The Forest provides habitat for steelhead in the Wildlife Service as a candidate for listing under the Klamath and Smith river systems and the headwaters Threatened and Endangered Species Act. The summer of the Eel, Mad, and Van Duzen rivers. Locally steelhead, which occurs on the Forest, is classified by important fisheries include resident trout, green the Forest Service in Region 5 as a Sensitive Species; sturgeon and American shad in the Klamath River, and this designation requires that habitat for the species be warm water fish in Ruth Reservoir. maintained or enhanced.

Klamath-Trinity River System: Current population Resident Fish Resource: Resident trout are found in levels of chinook salmon in the Klamath and Trinity many areas throughout the Forest, providing ample rivers are so low that there is little economic yield opportunity for anglers who seek small, native trout in from the remnant fisheries. The Forest contains about remote streams. The most significant warmwater 15 percent of the total Klamath-Trinity River fishery occurs in Ruth Reservoir, where 15,000 trout watershed, including several important spawning of catchable size are released annually. The largest tributaries for salmon and steelhead. Steelhead sport fishing use of a natural lake is at 28-acre Fish provide the major sport fishery in this river system. Lake where 10,000 catchable rainbow are released Angler success has been very low in the past several annually. Other species are sought at both locations as years. The steelhead fishery is primarily supported by well as at 12 other natural lakes on the Forest. the “half-pounder,” which is found in only three rivers in the world; the Klamath and Eel are two of those Fish habitat improvement: The Forest anadromous rivers. fish habitat improvement program focuses on improving the quality and quantity of spawning habitat Approximately 10 percent of the Trinity River for adult salmon and steelhead, and rearing habitat for watershed is on the Forest. It is estimated that, since juveniles. The Forest cooperates in a small-scale 1950, the lower river steelhead population has hatchery program that seeks to rebuild stream declined by 80 percent. Natural chinook salmon populations of native chinook salmon in tributaries populations have also had major declines, although the within the Klamath-Trinity River basin. The Forest Trinity River Hatchery has mitigated some of this loss. has initiated a modest program of experimental habitat improvement for bass in Ruth Reservoir in cooperation Indian Tribal fisheries, both commercial and with CDF&G and Humboldt Bay Municipal Water subsistence, focus primarily on fall chinook salmon, District. The Forest also cooperates in two major which occurs primarily downstream of the Forest on restoration programs for anadromous fish in the the Yurok and Hoopa reservations. A small Klamath-Trinity river basin. subsistence fishery occurs upstream of the Forest, near Ukonom, carried out by the Karok Tribe. There is also Projected Demands and Opportunities a small tribal fishery for steelhead and green sturgeon. Habitat management and small scale hatcheries on the Smith River System: Approximately 85 percent of Forest provide opportunities for depleted anadromous the Smith River watershed is within the Forest. fish stocks to recover during inland spawning and Habitat quality and quantity in the Smith River system rearing. Success in recovery will provide more are superior to the Klamath River, although the 1964 opportunities for sport, commercial, and Indian fish flood caused a drastic decline in the quality of the fish catches. habitat, which has not fully recovered. Chinook salmon and steelhead are the dominant anadromous SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC fish, and their large size has given the river national prominence among sport fishers. Coho salmon and ENVIRONMENT coastal cutthroat trout are widely distributed in the basin in generally low numbers. SOCIAL

Sensitive species: The coho salmon, which occurs on Current Situation the Forest in very low numbers in the Klamath and Smith river watersheds, is currently being evaluated The three main issues that define the social climate are for protection under the Threatened and Endangered protection of the environment, economic stability, and protection of Indian cultural activities and values. The Six Rivers National Forest PLAN III – 7 Affected Environment

Forest’s primary zone of influence is Del Norte, than 20 percent of the State average. Sixty-two Humboldt, and Trinity counties; the secondary zone of percent of the population lives in rural areas or in influence takes in Curry County, Oregon, and Siskiyou small communities of 3,000 or less; 38 percent lives in County, California. the major population centers along the coast near Humboldt Bay and Crescent City. Population growth Diverse lifestyles and values exist in these zones of in the region was about half that of the State generally influence (see the section on Social Categories), yet during the 1980s, with much of this growth from they have one thing in common: their lifestyles are retirees, urban flight, and expanding government and intrinsically linked to the land and natural resources. educational services.

Population Composition: The Forest’s zones of Local employment: Government employment, influence are racially homogeneous; roughly 86 wholesale and retail trade, services, and manufacturing percent of the population is caucasian. Most Native comprise 75 percent of the area’s employment. Americans, who comprise roughly six percent of the Employment in the first three areas increased steadily region’s population, are indigenous to the area. since 1972. Employment in manufacturing, which has African Americans, Hispanics, and Asians have made been primarily related to timber, declined more than population gains over the last decade. 50 percent since 1972, continuing a trend that started in 1960. Lower harvest levels on private lands, Social Groups and Lifestyles: A wide range of social consolidation of small businesses into a few large groups live in the Forest’s zone of influence. Four holdings, and automation all contributed to declining major groups (described in EIS Chapter 3) have been employment levels. Harvest levels on the North Coast identified within the social structure: amenity have stabilized since 1987 at an average of 1.1 billion emphasis, environmental priority, Native Americans, board feet per year. This harvest level is predicted to and commodity dependent residents. These four be maintained over the next 10 to 15 years, although groups are not mutually exclusive; many people have increasing restrictions on the timber land base due to interests in more than one group at a time. other resource concerns may affect the actual supply of timber. Trends Affecting Social Conditions: The following trends affect conditions in the primary zone of Per capita income within the primary zone of influence influence and the interaction of the social groups: is about 30 percent below the State average, due in “reverse migration,” represented by the notable part to lifestyles that include more self-sufficiency and increase of retirees and immigrants from urban areas; employment in seasonal industries. Unemployment in continued and/or increased environmental concern; the zone averaged 73 percent above the State level in increased political awareness and organization of 1989. Native American groups; and continuing and increasing participation in grass roots movements. Forest contribution to the local economy: The Forest contributes to the local economy in three ways: Projected Demands and Opportunities resource outputs, Forest employment and expenditures, and payments to counties. The public is demanding an ever-increasing say in Forest planning and policy-making. There will be Forest outputs: Various Forest outputs varied opportunities for the public to participate in contribute to the health of the local economy: these activities, especially at the project planning timber, recreation, fisheries and wildlife, range, level. Partnerships will provide opportunities for other and miscellaneous Forest products. The economic government agencies, groups, and individuals to value of Forest outputs such as timber, participate in Forest management activities. commercial fisheries, and range can be quantified using market values or Forest usage fees. Other ECONOMICS uses, such as sport fisheries, hunting, and many other recreation uses cannot be so easily The Forest directly influences the economy of measured. Humboldt, Del Norte, and Trinity counties and, to a lesser degree, portions of Siskiyou and Josephine Forest Employment and Expenditures: The counties. These counties are predominantly rural and administration of the Forest impacts the local depend to some extent on the Forest’s natural resources. Population density in these counties is less III – 8 Six Rivers National Forest CHAPTER 3 economy, especially in the small towns where the diversity of ecosystems, that provide opportunities for Ranger Districts are located (Gasquet, Orleans, research and ecological study. Willow Creek, Mad River/Dinsmore). The Forest pays salaries to full time, seasonal and temporary A Regional program has identified major types of employees who live in local communities. It forest vegetation that should be represented in the purchases goods and services for a variety of National RNA network. The Yurok RNA has been activities and supports human resource programs established within the Yurok Experimental Forest to that provide local employment and on-the-job study old growth redwood; it is managed by the training in resource management. Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station. Six areas, representing various elements, Payments to Counties: Twenty-five percent of were evaluated as candidates and dropped from gross Forest receipts are returned to the counties, consideration for RNA status. Horse Linto has been prorated on the basis of the acreage contained in nominated for further consideration; six other areas are each county. These funds are earmarked for being considered for two more nominations. Eight school districts and county roads and were $7.8 areas are recommended in this Plan for establishment million in 1989. Counties also receive payments as RNAs: Adorni, Craigs Creek, North Trinity in lieu of taxes for each acre of Federal land in the Mountain, Ruth, L.E. Horton, Soldier, Hennessy county; these payments can be used for any Ridge, and Upper Goose Creek. governmental purpose. The State tax on harvested timber also is returned to the counties. Projected Demands and Opportunities

Projected Demands and Opportunities Opportunities and demands for restoration and research will be identified in the management Commodity outputs and associated Forest investments assessment developed for each RNA. in maintaining and improving those outputs generate public and private sector employment. Employment SPECIAL INTEREST AREAS incomes circulate through the local economy, generating indirect/induced employment and income Special Interest Areas: Special Interest Areas (SIAs) in other sectors. are established to protect areas on the Forest with unique characteristics. The goal is to interpret the Forest investment in recreation, fisheries, and wildlife surroundings for public enjoyment and increased present opportunities to increase contributions to the understanding of natural resources. local economy from these non-commodity outputs such as increased recreation, commercial and sport SIAs can be established to highlight areas with fishing, hunting and non-consumptive wildlife uses. botanical, ecological, cultural, geological or other special values. Botanical areas contain outstanding New programs are being developed to assist rural examples of some part of the Forest flora. Ecological communities in diversifying their economies in order areas contain a variety of plant communities. to help compensate for economic losses due to Geological areas are sites with unique or outstanding decreasing timber outputs. The Forest is helping rural features that demonstrate the earth’s development and communities tap into sources of funding, such as processes. The following areas have been identified as assistance for water and waste disposal facilities, loans SIAs: Bear Basin Butte North Fork Smith River, and to develop community facilities for public use, and Horse Mountain (botanical areas), Myrtle Creek business and industrial guaranteed loans in rural (botanical and cultural), the Lassics (botanical and communities. geological), Broken Rib Mountain (ecological), and Bluff Creek (geological). RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS There are other areas on the Forest that are of special interest. Some are geologic features such as the surface trace of the Coast Range fault, giant landslide RESEARCH NATURAL AREAS features, elevated stream terraces, and exposures of distinctive geologic materials. National Park Service Research Natural Areas (RNAs) are part of a National network of reserved public lands, representing a

Six Rivers National Forest PLAN III – 9 Affected Environment

candidates for designation as National Natural Projected Demands and Opportunities Landmarks include the Siskiyou Mountains, Trinity Alps, Yolla Bolly Mountains, the Lassics, Stony Creek The trend for law enforcement needs, case complexity, Bog, and Bear Basin Butte. Significant Natural Areas and potential hazards for Forest employees, visitors, of California, identified by the California Department and permit holders are expected to continue as will the of Fish and Game, are also included. demand for additional employees to be trained and equipped to function in a full law enforcement Projected Demands and Opportunities capacity.

Designated SIAs and other areas of special interest HERITAGE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT provide opportunities for interpretation and public education as well as cooperation with various Heritage resources on the Forest are varied and organizations for studies and monitoring. complex, ranging from 6,000- to 8,000-year-old prehistoric sites to historic mining ditches and cabins HUMBOLDT NURSERY and administrative structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Contemporary local Indians Humboldt Nursery is located near the coast about 15 continue to use Forest sites for ceremonial and miles north of Eureka. The Nursery produces tree religious purposes and to obtain a variety of natural seedlings for reforesting National Forest System and resources for daily use. Bureau of Land Management lands in California, Oregon, and Washington, as well as for the Bureau of The Forest uses heritage resource inventories, usually Indian Affairs, Redwood National Park, and state associated with proposed projects, to record and agencies. The Nursery produces the following conserve traces of the prehistoric and historic records commercial species: Douglas-fir, the largest and to identify and respond to cultural concerns component of its crop, redwood, and several species relating to the contemporary values of Forest users. each of true fir, cedar, spruce, pine, and hemlock. The The Forest consults the State Historic Preservation Nursery, in recent years, has begun to cultivate non- Officer (SHPO) and the Advisory Council on Historic commercial species: red and white alder, digger pine, Preservation for all proposed undertakings. big leaf maple, tanoak, Brewer oak, and Oregon white oak; woody shrubs such as California redbud, coast About 15 percent of the Forest has been inventoried coffeeberry, buckbrush ceanothus, and blue blossom and 980 heritage resource sites identified. One (wild lilac); and experimental plots of Pacific yew, cultural district and one property have been formally cottonwood, and various willows grown from cuttings. listed on the National Register of Historic Places; four more districts have been determined to be eligible for Projected Demands and Opportunities listing. Eleven areas have been designated Native American Cultural Use Areas (NACUAs) in The Nursery will continue to produce seedlings of recognition of American Indian spiritual values more varied species, offer public interpretive associated with them. opportunities, and foster partnership with local agencies. Local Indians have a variety of concerns about Forest management as related to their cultural activities. The LAW ENFORCEMENT Forest uses the Coordinated Resource Management concept to promote Indian involvement in resource The number of law enforcement incidents on the management activities to address their concerns. Forest is rising steadily in relation to increases in Heritage resource management also enables the numbers of Forest visitors and pressures from and uses development of resource management projects that are by adjacent landowners. co-sponsored by Indian tribes, the Forest Service, and other public agencies. The Forest cooperates with law enforcement agencies in local counties and with other State and Federal Projected Demands and Opportunities agencies. All law enforcement resources are overstretched, and delayed response by enforcement Evaluation of heritage resource properties will agencies with Forest jurisdiction do occur. continue in the future in response to Forest projects.

III – 10 Six Rivers National Forest CHAPTER 3 As more projects are proposed in river corridors, Growing populations will increasingly demand smoke inventories will be completed to fill the knowledge management and other public health and safety gap for these areas. The recent trend to high priority considerations. for enhancement and interpretation will continue and is likely to contribute to increased visitor use. Comprehensive fire management action plans that Research opportunities will continue to be available, consider alternatives other than control will be and cooperation between the Forest and the completed for wilderness areas. archaeological program at Humboldt State is likely to expand. ENERGY RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

FIRE AND FUELS MANAGEMENT Energy production: The Forest currently provides energy from biomass (dead or living trees) and small Fire Management: The Forest averages 64 fires amounts from water and sun. burning an average of 805 acres per year. Most are caused by human activity and have light to moderate Firewood is gathered by individuals or commercial effects on the Forest environment. Heavy lightning dealers. Demand from individuals has fallen off in the storms, which may start over 100 fires, occur every 7 last decade since the Forest Service began charging for to 8 years. Less than 10 percent of fires burn more permits. Cull logs, hardwood chip logs, and sawmill than 400 acres; the largest recent fire burned over “by-products” are also used for commercial power 12,000 acres in 1987. Fires in wilderness are currently generation in both Humboldt and Del Norte counties controlled. when economical, but Forest products have seldom been harvested primarily for power production. The Forest funds a relatively small initial attack organization; if a fire escapes initial action, Two hydroelectric plants on the Forest produce and cooperating agencies and the “militia” (non-fire Forest sell power to Pacific Gas and Electric Company; both Service employees) are called into action. The size of are on the Mad River district. Otherwise, electricity is the militia has shrunk in recent years; consequently, transmitted from Oregon and California’s Central initial reinforcement may be delayed and some fires Valley to the Forest and coastal areas. are likely to require more suppression than might have been needed in the past. Solar-powered facilities are used at communications sites and other remote locations. The potential to The Forest coordinates fire management activities with generate wind power on the Forest is untapped. other agencies, such as the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the Hoopa Indian Tribe, Energy conservation: Energy conservation efforts and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. have reduced Forest Service fleet fuel usage and improved the energy efficiency of Forest Service Fuels Management: Most fuels management facilities. activities have been prescribed burning, such as timber sale slash, to remove logging residue and prepare sites Projected Demands and Opportunities for reforestation and to lower fire hazard. There is a current shift taking place towards larger area Biomass for firewood and commercial power understory fuel treatments to counteract the unnatural generation will generally be less available from the fuel buildups that have resulted from several decades Forest than in the past as less timber is harvested and of aggressive suppression. dead and down wood will be left in place to protect the habitat of plant and animal species dependent on its Projected Demands and Opportunities existence. Conflicts may be expected to develop among various user groups. The demand for firewood Suppression actions should strive to protect the will depend not only on its availability, but also on its specific attributes of the various land allocations. costs compared to costs of alternate energy sources, Prescribed burning will provide the opportunity for restrictions on wood stove or fireplace emissions, and ecosystem process restoration, habitat improvement local population increases. and maintenance, and hazard reduction. More expensive fuel treatment methods such as handpiling Neither of the utility companies anticipates the need and/or rearrangement of fuels may also be used. for additional transmission lines in the next 10 to 20 years. Six Rivers National Forest PLAN III – 11 Affected Environment

be resolved under STA authority. Opportunities to LANDS PROGRAM MANAGEMENT find alternative ways to manage lands under special use authorization and/or meet public needs for these The Forest manages about 960,000 acres of NFS land. uses will be explored. The demand for new rights-of- There are about 134,000 acres of land scattered within way will shift toward providing access for public the Forest boundaries that are in other ownership. The recreation activities. Negotiations with private land private lands were generally acquired, before the owners will take more time and sensitivity than in the National Forest was established, under various laws past. intended to encourage settlement and resource production. MINERALS MANAGEMENT

Landownership adjustment involves changes in Mineral commodities are classified by law as either ownership to make management easier and to reduce locatable, leasable, or common variety mineral administrative costs. Historically, large holdings of materials. The Forest contains a variety of locatable cutover private timber lands were exchanged for and common variety minerals. There are no known federal forested lands. A relatively recent trend, leasable minerals, such as gas and oil. which is expected to continue, is for smaller exchanges to acquire lands with other resource values, Locatable minerals: These minerals may be acquired such as wilderness and habitat for threatened or through compliance with the General Mining Laws of endangered wildlife and plants. 1872, as amended. They include gold, chromite, mercury, nickel, cobalt, manganese, and copper. The The Forest boundary location program supports the Forest does not generally produce large quantities of resource programs and landownership adjustment any locatable minerals, compared to production program. About 30 percent of the roughly 1,300 miles statewide. There are 4,398 acres of outstanding of boundary line between public and private land are mineral rights on the Forest. unsurveyed or inadequately surveyed. Boundary location and marking identifies encroachments, some The number of claims on the Forest has dropped by at of which can be resolved under the Small Tracts Act least half since 1990, due to designation of the NRA in (STA). The Forest has completed about 25 STA cases; 1990 and institution of a BLM claim maintenance fee 60 or more encroachments with potential for resolution in 1993. The number of plans and notices submitted under STA authority are waiting establishment of Wild for proposed operations, primarily for suction and Scenic River corridor widths. dredging, dropped correspondingly. Proposed operations are evaluated under NEPA; operators must Special use authorizations allow others to use comply with requirements for protecting resources, approximately 3,800 acres of National Forest System such as Threatened and Endangered plant and animal land for a wide variety of uses. Powerlines occupy 3 species, and for reclamation to a second productive utility corridors crossing the Forest. Three of the four use where appropriate. communications sites that serve a variety of communications uses will be designated multi-user Forty percent of the Forest lands have been withdrawn communications sites. from mineral entry, subject to valid existing rights under wilderness, Wild and Scenic Rivers, and NRA The Forest acquires easements across private property, designations. Less than 1 percent of the Forest lands when needed, to access NFS land for management are withdrawn for recreation and administrative activities. purposes, and these withdrawals have been recommended for termination. Projected Demands and Opportunities Common variety minerals: Common variety The land adjustment program will continue to shift minerals that occur on the Forest include various earth from being primarily driven by timber needs to construction materials. Most sand and gravel deposits providing for other resource and management needs. are located along streams and are replenished Most of the surveyed boundary line between periodically by natural deposition. Rock aggregate for Government and private land are planned to be road surfacing material is a non-renewable resource. surveyed, marked, and posted to standards by the year All known rock sources have been inventoried and 2010, identifying additional encroachments that may mapped; these deposits are distributed throughout the Forest. Historically, the demand for common variety

III – 12 Six Rivers National Forest CHAPTER 3 mineral materials was primarily for use on Forest management problems such as a need to install fences, roads and facilities, with relatively small amounts used gates, and cattleguards. by private parties. Projected Demands and Opportunities Projected Demand and Opportunities The demand for Forest rangelands is expected to Sixty-five percent of the forest is considered to have remain at current levels over the next decade. There is less than moderate potential for mineral development an opportunity to improve vegetative conditions and during the planning horizon; 25 percent is considered damaged riparian areas by improved management to have moderate potential. Demand is difficult to practices. The Pacific Southwest Region has initiated predict, as it depends on market value, world supply, a project to provide an ecological classification of all and the cost of extraction and reclamation. Research forest plant communities that will facilitate Natural Areas and Native American Cultural Use identification and interpretation of vegetation-soil Areas that are not already withdrawn from mineral communities at project level planning. entry will be considered for recommendation for withdrawal. RECREATION PROGRAM MANAGEMENT RANGE MANAGEMENT The Forest provides a diverse array of recreation The Forest currently makes available 15,897 AUMs opportunities in a variety of settings. Forest (animal-unit-months) for approximately 1,987 cattle attractions include numerous rivers, streams, and between April and October each year. Range lakes, steep mountains to gentler oak woodlands, four management includes using fencing and water wildernesses, the Smith River National Recreation developments to distribute livestock in a way that Area, and a road system that makes much of the Forest minimizes the impacts on other Forest resources. available to the motoring public.

About 25 percent of the 297,000 acres of NFS land in The most popular recreational activities are camping, allotments is suitable rangeland. These suitable lands picnicking, swimming, fishing, hiking, horseback could support up to 28,809 AUMs. The suitable range riding, boating, and motorized uses such as viewing is primarily annual grassland, oak woodland, browse, scenery and off-highway vehicle travel. and transitory range. Most transitory range, which supports grazing for about 20 years, is the result of Some recreation occurs at permanent sites developed timber management activities that open up the forest, specifically for recreation purposes. The Forest has 15 allowing grasses, forbs, and browse to flourish until developed campgrounds, 2 developed camping areas, trees once again dominate. Reductions in timber 10 camping areas with no potable water, a boat ramp, harvest levels and changes in silvicultural systems will and some trailheads. Several of the Forest’s older result in fewer acres of transitory range, and the campgrounds are functionally obsolete; those in the number of AUMs available will be less over time. Smith River NRA are being upgraded first to provide more “modern” and accessible facilities. Grazing is authorized on 18 allotments on 2 districts: 12 on Mad River district and 6 on Lower Trinity Dispersed recreation is outdoor recreation that district. Three of the active allotments include involves relatively low density use and occurs over wilderness lands. Seven permittees on Mad River broad expanses of land or water. Dispersed recreation, allotments utilize about 90 percent of the AUMs which generally occurs during summer and fall, permitted on the forest; 12 permittees on Lower accounts for much of the recreation use on the Forest, Trinity allotments utilize the other 10 percent. especially along its rivers and streams.

The ecological condition of the rangelands on the The network of Forest roads and the 230 miles of trails Forest is not known at this time. Current management provide access for dispersed recreation activities. Two intent is to complete ecological classification of nationally designated Scenic Byways cross the Forest. rangelands and to determine condition and trend, where applicable. Problems associated with livestock use include grazing within riparian areas and construction of roads that cause range allotment

Six Rivers National Forest PLAN III – 13 Affected Environment

Redwood National Park, the State’s redwood parks, WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS and three National Forests are in close proximity to the MANAGEMENT Forest and provide similar recreational opportunities. Outfitter/guide operations, resorts, and special events The California Wild and Scenic River system under special use permit provide a variety of incorporates 366 miles of the Smith, Klamath, Trinity, recreation experiences on the Forest. and North Fork of the Eel River which are within the Forest; these were designated by the Secretary of Projected Demands and Opportunities Interior as part of the national system in 1981. Wild, scenic, and recreational classifications are all The Forest provides a supply of potential outdoor represented. These streams are 35 percent of the wild recreation opportunities that is estimated to be three to and scenic rivers on NFS lands in California. The four times the existing dispersed use without changing primary reason for the designation of these streams the character of the setting, although the available was their outstanding anadromous fisheries value; the supply of water-based recreation is limited. Chapter 3 North Fork of the Smith was also valued for its of the EIS describes the inventoried recreational whitewater boating. The Smith River and its opportunity spectrum (ROS) acres, capacity, and use. tributaries were redesignated by Congress in 1990 under the Smith River NRA Act. There are opportunities to improve the facilities at existing developed campgrounds to meet the demands The boundaries of the South Fork of the Trinity River of today’s campers, including facilities for recreational and management direction for it were established in its vehicles and physically challenged users. There are River Management Plan in 1992. The boundaries of also opportunities to provide more day-use areas and the remaining streams are established in this Plan. increase the number of outfitter/guide and recreation Management direction for the Smith River and its special event permits without significantly impairing tributaries is included in the Smith River Management the recreation experience. Plan (Appendix A). Implementation schedules will be developed for the remaining designated segments of ROADLESS AND WILDERNESS AREA the Trinity, Klamath, and North Fork of the Eel rivers. MANAGEMENT Portions of the Van Duzen and the North Fork Eel Some of the Roadless areas “released” in 1984 have rivers and Redwood Creek were listed in the been roaded; all have been managed for multiple-use Nationwide River Inventory but not designated under other than wilderness. None are recommended to be the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. The Van managed to protect wilderness potential in this Plan. Duzen and North Fork Eel portions were determined to be ineligible for wild, scenic, or recreational status. Wilderness areas on the Forest include portions of the Detailed analyses are in Appendix D of the EIS. Yolla-Bolly Middle Eel Wilderness (11,100 acres), Redwood Creek has potential outstanding values; the Trinity Alps Wilderness (27,600 acres), Siskiyou approximately one-half mile on NFS lands will be Wilderness (74,000 acres), and all of the North Fork maintained in a condition that will not diminish its Eel Wilderness (8,260 acres). Their total area potential for wild and scenic designation. (121,000 acres) represents about 13 percent of the Forest’s land base. Projected Demands and Opportunities

These wilderness areas encompass a variety of special Six streams were identified through public scoping as features, including national recreation trails, wild potential wild and scenic rivers; only Blue Creek was rivers, unique plant communities, portions of the determined to have values that would make it eligible Helkau Cultural Resource District, and good winter for designation. Additional stream segments have deer range. been found to have values that would make them eligible for designation. Detailed analyses of these Projected Demands and Opportunities stream segments are in Appendix D of the EIS.

Wilderness use is expected to be about 25,000 visitor TIMBER MANAGEMENT days per year in the first decade, increasing at about the rate of population increase. The amount of timber sold and harvested from the Forest has varied considerably in the last 40 years,

III – 14 Six Rivers National Forest CHAPTER 3 more than doubling from the mid 1950s and then Hardwoods are present in the Forest and dominate declining as timbered lands were removed from the sites at various stages in the revegetation cycle; fire, available land base by various Congressional and logging, reforestation, and site conditions affect the Executive Branch actions. Harvest and sale levels presence of hardwood. Individuals purchase fuelwood declined rapidly from the late 1980s to the present; from the forest, most often collecting it from recently establishment of the Smith River NRA and protection logged areas. Less logging means that fuelwood is of Threatened and Endangered wildlife species less available and usually further from home. Some contributed significantly to this decrease. commercial operators purchase fuelwood sales, which tend not to be highly profitable. Hardwood is also is Forest Land Classification: The National Forest used to produce paper pulp, generate electric power, Management Act of 1976 (NFMA) requires an and for lumber. assessment of National Forest lands to determine those acres which are capable, available, and tentatively Harvest Methods: Harvest methods used on the suitable for timber production. Forest include ground skidding, cable yarding, and aerial yarding. Skidding is appropriate on a small Capable lands are those where growth potential is at fraction of the Forest’s tentatively suitable land base. least 20 cubic feet per acre, per year. Available lands Cable yarding is the most frequently used method. are those which have not been legislatively or Aerial yarding by helicopters has been rare on the administratively withdrawn from timber management. Forest but is increasing. This trend is expected to Wilderness areas, late seral reserves, and riparian continue as helicopters are used to harvest otherwise reserves are examples of lands which are unavailable. inaccessible areas or to mitigate specific resource Tentatively suitable acres are those lands which can concerns; costs of helicopter logging and subsequent be reforested within five years and where timber entries into an area without road access for harvest would not cause irreversible damage to soil regeneration, timber stand improvement treatments, productivity or watershed conditions. and monitoring will be higher with this method.

Only lands determined to be capable, available, and Silvicultural Systems: Various silvicultural practices suitable are managed for timber outputs and contribute are used to influence vegetation development. Forest to the calculation of allowable sale quantity (ASQ). stands on the Six Rivers are managed by one of two Approximately 28 percent of the Forest’s 958,470 silvicultural systems: even-aged or uneven-aged. acres are available, capable, and tentatively suitable Silvicultural principles and systems are described in for timber production. detail in Appendix K of the EIS.

Products: Sawtimber is the most important Even-aged management has been the primary commercial commodity produced on the Forest. It is silvicultural system for the Forest, and was selected as estimated that the Forest has approximately 12 billion the preferred method in the 1971 Timber Management board feet of standing timber on lands classified as Plan. Until recently, clearcutting has been the primary tentatively suitable for timber production. The method used to regenerate stands under that plan. The primary species harvested is Douglas-fir. Other shelterwood method has also been used, and conifers and small amounts of black oak are also intermediate harvesting has occurred, primarily as harvested. thinnings and salvage cutting.

Nearly all of the timber from the Forest is processed in Some uneven-aged management has occurred on the Oregon and northwestern California. Some local mills Forest in areas with specific resource objectives such depend heavily on timber from the forest, and bidding as maintenance of a continuous forest cover. on most sales is highly competitive. Traditional even-age systems have been modified in The long term price trend from below $50 per the last few years to provide increased diversity in thousand board feet (mbf) in the early 1970s to over forest stands. Regeneration with legacy is a method $350 per mbf in fiscal year 1992 reflects the used to retain various levels of large live conifers and increasing scarcity of timber supply in relation to hardwoods, snags, large logs, and patches of demand. understory conifer seedlings and saplings. Low levels of legacy retention provide important habitat niches for various wildlife species, but may appear similar to

Six Rivers National Forest PLAN III – 15 Affected Environment

a clearcut. High levels of legacy retention subdue the Opportunities exist to manage the forest to produce visual effects of harvesting and move a site toward a timber and forest products and provide for other multi-story stand structure considered important to resources, including wildlife; to help accelerate the some species associated with late successional forests. development of desirable structural components; and to maintain or enhance species diversity within stands The historical emphasis of National Forest timber and across broader landscape areas. A variety of management has been to optimize tree growth for timber harvest systems can be used as a tools in this timber production. The new emphasis is to management. The relationship between disturbance, maintaining the health of the ecosystem and all its including timber harvest, and other biological, component parts. Tree growth will continue to be physical, and social aspects of the ecosystem are not optimized when it does not conflict with ecosystem fully understood. Timber management practices need health. to be monitored and evaluated in the upcoming years, and adjustments made as new information becomes Reforestation: National Forest Management Act available. (NFMA) regulations specify that trees can only be harvested from lands that can be adequately reforested TREES WITH SPECIAL MANAGEMENT within 5 years after harvest. Reforestation is achieved CONSIDERATION by either natural or artificial methods. Artificial regeneration by planting is the most commonly used Three tree species found in small groups, or as method on the Forest, using mostly Douglas-fir, individuals, on the Forest are of concern to the public ponderosa pine, and Jeffrey pine. Natural regeneration and Forest managers: redwood, Pacific yew, and Port- is most often used to establish shade tolerant species. Orford-cedar. Stock is usually planted at 2 to 3 times the recommended stocking standards to allow for seedling Redwood is found in small areas in the Smith River mortality and removal of inferior trees in 10 to 15 NRA and within the Yurok Redwood Experimental years, leaving the “superior performers” in the stand. Forest. There are approximately 2,600 acres where The seedling survival rate is generally 70 to 80 redwood is a component of the stand. All groves of percent, resulting in a high percentage of the Forest’s redwood are protected from harvest on the Forest. plantations meeting reforestation standards within 5 years after harvest. Pacific yew is near the southern extent of its range on this Forest. It has many special uses and is important Release and precommercial thinning treatments are culturally to Native Americans for use in bows and used to suppress vegetation which is competing with other products. There were no commercial collections desired seedlings for light, moisture, and nutrients, and of yew bark on the Forest during the period 1991- to thin dense stands of older seedlings and saplings to 1993, when it was being collected in the Pacific provide adequate growing space for selected trees. northwest for research on the cancer treatment Release and thinning can be accomplished by manual, properties of taxol. mechanical, or chemical methods, depending on site conditions, costs, other resource concerns, and public Port-Orford-cedar is a valuable conifer, found in some opinion. About 23,500 acres currently need some areas on the Forest, that may be legally exported as treatment. Release of Forest plantations was raw logs. The species has been infected in some areas accomplished primarily by herbicide applications until by a root disease, and special measures are needed to 1984 and have been done by manual or mechanical prevent the disease from spreading to uninfected areas. methods since then. Potential Demands and Opportunities Projected Demands and Opportunities The Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Knutson-Vandenberg (KV) funds generated from Station, Redwood Sciences Lab conducts wildlife and timber sale receipts will continue to finance sale area improvement projects including reforestation, stand protection and improvement, slope stabilization, wildlife and fisheries habitat improvement, and recreation development.

III – 16 Six Rivers National Forest CHAPTER 3 watershed related studies of redwoods which occur for social conflict rises as more people with different within the Yurok Experimental Forest. values demand similar products.

Port-Orford-cedar will be managed according to the Projected Demands and Opportunities Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines that should provide an opportunity to prevent spread of the root Demand for special forest products is expected to disease. Opportunities may occur to reestablish Port- increase and must be managed sustainably. Research, Orford-cedar in plant associations which have been monitoring, education, real market value pricing, altered by root disease. public participation, habitat enhancement projects, and assisting in developing the infrastructure and markets SPECIAL FOREST PRODUCTS to support a special forest products economy are among the opportunities that will be explored during Special forest products are defined as non-timber, this planning period. renewable vegetative natural resources, such as berries, floral greenery, cones and seeds, mushrooms, PEST MANAGEMENT and dyeing materials. Many rural residents rely on plant material from the Forest for food, medicinals, The primary groups of forest pests likely to interfere and other uses. The act of collecting has cultural and with some management objectives are: competing spiritual significance to Native Americans. vegetation, diseases, insects, and vertebrates. Some of the pests found on the Forest are dwarf mistletoes, The trend in rural communities is to rely more heavily white pine blister rust, root diseases, black-tailed deer, on a broader range of forest products; new markets black bears, and various rodents. Many of these pests have been developed for them. can be treated to minimize their effects.

The Forest sells special forest products under permit The Forest Service implements an integrated pest or contract; no permits are required for personal management (IPM) approach to dealing with forest collection. Demand for special forest products has pests: prevention, detection, evaluation, suppression, risen faster than the Forest can meet it. The potential and monitoring. Pest management goals are directed toward reducing pest-related losses to levels that maintain a healthy forest environment.

Projected Demands and Opportunities

Preventive measures can be included in management prescriptions, especially for activities or areas which pose a high risk for introduction of pests.

VISUAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

The Forest has a diverse landscape with many areas of high scenic quality such as rivers, steep river canyons, and forested peaks. There are two different types of landscapes. The northern portion of the Forest has very steep slopes and sharp ridges; the southern portion has gentler, moderately steep slopes with more rounded landforms. The scenic qualities of the Forest have changed over the last 100 years, from an undisturbed appearing landscape to one modified by human activities such as timber harvest and road construction.

The Forest Service has adopted the visual management system defined in the USDA Handbook #462, which includes the inventory of three elements that represent the natural and social setting. Variety class identifies Six Rivers Nationalthe Forest diversity of landscape features andPLAN appeal III of– 17 the scenery as distinctive, common, or minimal. Sensitivity level indicates the public’s level of concern